Russia issues chilling warning over 'direct military clash' between nuclear powers

Russia has warned the West that it risks igniting a “direct military clash” with the country and other nuclear powers as threats of WW3 escalate.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a message via video link to the audience of the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference, in which he cautioned against tipping the “dangerous balance”.

He said: “Westerners are dangerously balancing on the brink of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences.”

This comes after the US House of Representatives finally passed the long-awaited $61 (£49) billion aid package for Ukraine, igniting a furious response from Russia.

On Saturday, US lawmakers approved the package that will now go to the Senate – dominated by Democrats – after facing fierce opposition in the House from hardline Republicans.

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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in remarks reported by Russia‘s state news agencies: “The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova echoed this sentiment on Telegram: “The allocation of military assistance by the United States to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan will aggravate the global crisis.”

Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia‘s security council, said the approval of new aid to Ukraine was “Russophobic” and would exacerbate “the number of victims of this war.”

He also said on Telegram: “I cannot with all sincerity not wish the United States to plunge into a new civil war as quickly as possible.”

It is anticipated that the bill will be approved later this week, when it will then move to Joe Biden‘s desk for him to sign into law.

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Ukraine is currently struggling to maintain ground in the east, where Russian forces continue to capture territory, particularly in the Donbas region.

The continued Russian offensives left Volodymyr Zelensky issuing desperate pleas for more air defence systems, artillery and ammunition.

Zelensky thanked the US House for eventually passing the aid bill, saying it “will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger”.

He urged the Senate to do the same and work as quickly as possible, especially as Vladimir Putin‘s forces gear up for a summer offensive.